Rock drill mount



Nov. 3, 1964 E. B. LEAR 3,155,351

ROCK DRILL MOUNT Filed Nov. 50. 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 .1. J4 39, T :I .f4

"mlb INVENTOR e am we ATTORNEY E. B. LEAR 3,155,351

ROCK DRILL MOUNT Nov. 3, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 T1 :1.2.

Filed Nov. 30. 1960 66 m a a `ATTORNEY Nov. 3, 1964 E. B. LEAR ROCK DRILL MOUNT Filed NOV. 30. 1960 llll'l mlllllllllllllll lllll l 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nov. 3, 1964 E. B. LEAR 3,155,351

ROCK DRILL MOUNT 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 30, 1960 ATTO R N EY Nov. 3, 1964 E. B. LEAR 3,155,351

Rocx DRILL MOUNT Filed Nov. 50, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTO Eff/a4 n4/P MML United States Patent O 3,155,351 RCK DRILL MOUNT Earl B. Lear, Utica, NY., assigner to Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company, New York, NY., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Nov. 3b, 1960, Ser. No. 72,620 n) Claims. tot. 24a- 2) This invention relates to an improved and advantageous mount for a conventional rock drill of the boom supported type.

It is desired in rock drills of this type to effect drilling operations expeditiously in `areas surrounding the supporting vehicle, and to do so in such manner that required movement of the vehicle at the site of operations is reduced to a minimum.

A feature of the present invention is a turrent assembly serving as a mount for the boom of a rock drill. This assembly enables the boom and associated drill to be swung from a position longitudinally of the supporting vehicle to positions at right angles to opposite sides of the vehicle without moving the vehicle itself, thus enabling drilling operations at either side of the vehicle.

It is also desired in drill apparatus of this type, which normally includes various hydraulically powered units, to have hydraulic hose lines as short as possible and so `arranged that they do not become entangled, do not crowd the vehicle, nor interfere with the work of the operator or the operations of the apparatus.

lt is also desired that the disadvantages associated with the location of the usual oil supply tank be eliminated. Such tanks are located either upon an already crowded deck or are located apart from the vehicle. In either case they take up consider-able space which could very well be used for other purposes.

A feature of this invention lies in the particular construction of a turret assembly which not only serves as a turret for the boom, but also serves as an oil reservoir as well as a support for a hydraulic pump unit, whereby the conventional tank is eliminated, short hose lines are enabled, and considerable deck space is saved for other purposes.

It is further desired in a mobile mount supporting a boom type rock drill that i-t not only have a deck in support of the boom to enable easy access of the operator to various parts of the boom, but that the deck also occupy a miniminurn of space in a longitudinal direction between the traction elements of the supporting vehicle. This construction will provide a large vacant area between the traction elements, whereby the latter may straddle jutting'rocks or other obstructions and thereby increase the range of action of the drill.

A feature of this invention lies in the combination of a deck with a tractor as the supporting vehicle, wherein the deck is of narrow extent and the greater part of the area between the treads of the tractor forwardly of the deck is vacant to enable the advantages desired above.

An object of this invention, accordingly is to provide an improved mobile mount for a rock drill of the boom supported type wherein various disadvantages commonly associated with mounts for such apparatus are eliminated, and whereby a practical, and labor saving mobile mount is elfected.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mobile mount for ya rock drill of the boom supported type, wherein the several foregoing features and advantages are incorporated.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in apparatus of the type mentioned a combined turret assembly and oil sump to serve the boom and various associated hydraulic units.

The foregoing and other features, objects and ad- 3,155,351 Patented Nov. 3, 1964 ICC vantages of this invention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the detailed description which follows, taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for purposes of illustration and description and are not to be construed as defining the limits of the invention.

1n the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a mobile mount embodying the invention, portions of the appara-tus being'cut away as an aid to illustrating various parts;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the turret assembly together with an associated portion of the left track;

FIG. 3 is a detail partly in section illustrating the pivoted association of a track unit relative to its motor and to the cross shaft;

FIG. 4 is a detail of the turret in side elevation;

FIG. 5 illustrates the association of the swing cylinder with the turret assembly, details of the mounting of a deck cylinder, and a schematic association of the deck cylinders and the swing cylinder in a hydraulic system; and

FIG. 6 is a top plan detail of the association of the swing cylinder with the turret.

Reference is now directed to the several drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein there is disclosed a supporting vehicle 10 upon which is mounted a turret assembly 11 including a turret 12 which swivels about a turret post 13. Mounted on the turret for rotation as a unit with the latter relative to the turret post and to the vehicle is an elongated boom 14 adapted at its free end 15 to support a conventional rock drill unit, not Shown. Hydraulically powered swing means 16 is associated with the turret to effect rotative or swivel action of the latter about the turret post. l-lydraulically powered lift means 17 is associated with the boom to eifect pivoting of the latter in a vertical arc relative to the tur-ret. A reservoir or sump i3, delined by the turret assembly 11, serves to hold a supply of hydraulic fiuid. A pneumatically powered hydraulic pump unit 19 is mounted to the turret for supplying flow of operating hydraulic iluid from the sump to the swing and lift means 16 and 17 and to other hydraulic elements.

The supporting vehicle 10 is illustrated here as a tractor comprising a pair of laterally spaced track units 21. Each of these is pivotable independently of the other in a vertical arc about an opposite end of a connecting cross shaft 22; and the latter has independent rotative movement relative to each track unit.

Each track unit includes (FIGS. 1-3) an elongated supporting frame 23 supporting in its forward end an idler wheel 25. A sprocket wheel 26 is rotatably supported in the rear end of the frame by bearings 27 upon a stub axle 2S. The latter is itself rotatably supported at its ends by means of a pair of frame brackets 29 and 31 respectively fixed to opposite side portions 32 and 33 of the track frame 23. An endless tread 34 is trained about the idler and sprocket wheels, and is driveably engaged by the teeth 24 of the sprocket wheel. The inner bracket 29 (one being shown) of each track frame has a laterally extending trunnion piece 35 which is coaxial with the cross shaft 22 and is swivelled in an end socket 36 of the latter. A bearing collar element 37 of bracket 29 overlies a terminal radial ange 3S of the cross shaft, whereby the track frame is prevented from endwise escape from the cross shaft. By this arrangement the cross shaft, and the track frame of each track unit are rotatable relative to one another about a common axis.

Each track unit 21 is powered independently of the other by means of a separate motor unit 39 having a conventional forward and reverse operating air driven rotor,

not shown. The latter acts through a suitable gear train drive, generally designated 41, operatively meshed with a hub gear 42 of the related sprocket wheel so as to drive the latter. The gear train drive includes pinion gears 43 and 44 driven by the rotor, and a drive shaft 45 driven by the pinion gears and journaled in bearings 46. A pinion gear 47 at the outer end of the drive shaft is drivingly meshed with the hub gear 42, whereby the andthe associated tread.

Each motor is supported in an individual housing 48 to which is bolted an extension housing piece 49 which houses the gear train drive. The housing extension enlarges downwardly and forms a laterally extending tubular trunnion 51. The latter is coaxial with the cross shaft, and is journaled for rotation in a bushing 52 fitted in an inner socket 53 of the bracket 29. The stub axle 28 supporting the sprocket wheel is fitted at its inner end in the tubular trunnion 51, each motor is supported in latter; and the cross shaft and motors are adapted to rotate as a unit about this common axis relative to the track units. In this pivoting or rotating action of the cross shaft, the motors are carried by means of plates 54, with the cross shaft; and the outer pinion gears 47 of the gear train drives are caused to roll upon the hub gears 42.

A Ygirder 57 individual to each track unit is pivotally clamped at its rear 58 (FIGS. l and 3) to the central area of the cross shaft and is fixed at its opposite end 59 to an inner Vside frame area of the related track unit. The girders restrain the track units from creeping away from each other at their forward ends. Each girder is reinforced to its associated track unit by means of a short transverse strut 61, one being shown, fixed at opposite ends 62 and 63 respectively to the girder and to the related track frame. The track frames 23, the girders 57, the struts 61, and the cross shaft 22 define the general framing of the vehicle 10. This general framing lies, as appears in FIG. 2, in a plane below the upper tread surfaces of the track units, so that it does not interfere with or obstruct swivel action of the boom 14 in a horizontal plane.

The turret assembly l1 is supported between the track units upon this general framing. The turret assembly includes (FIGS. l and 2) a rectangular plate or deck 65 which is strengthened about the border of its underside by channel beams 66. The deck is supported in a normally horizontal position upon the general framing. It is supported at its rear transverse edge to the cross shaft 22 by means of the upright motor supporting plates 54 and by a center upright brace 6'7. The plates 54 and the brace 67 are fixed at their upper edges to the underside of the deck; and the brace 67, like the upright plates is welded fast at its lower end to the periphery of the cross shaft 22. At its forward transverse edge the deck is supported by means of a pair of hydraulic members 68, one associated with the right end, and the other with the left end of the deck (FIG. 1). Each member 68 includes a vertically disposed hydraulic cylinder 69 (FIGS. l, 2 and pivoted at its lower end '71 between a pair of ears 72 which Vare fixed to and extend forwardly from the underside of the deck. A piston rod 73 projecting downwardly out of the cylinder from the usual piston head ywithin the cylinder has a terminal eye lug 74 pivoted between a pair of ears 75 fixed to the related cross strut :61 of the neighboring track frame. The deck has a norpower of the motor is transmitted to the sprocket wheel i'.

Y imal horizontal position upon its front and rear supports, as in FIG. 2.

The hydraulic members 68 are interconnected in a hydraulic system, schematically shown in FIG. 5. In this system a manually operable slide valve 76 in a conventional hydraulic control unit '76 is selectively operable to cause hydraulic pressure oil uid from a supply line 77 'to flow over a line 78 and a branch line 79 simultaneously to the lower ends of both deck cylinders 69, or over a line 81 and a branch line`82 simultaneously to the upper ends of both cylinders 69, as may be required to initially level or adjust the deck to a normal horizontal position when the track units are upon level ground. In a normal neutral position of the slide valve 76, a closed hydraulic circuit is defined by the control unit 70 over the hose lines 78 and 81 and the branch lines 79 and 82 with both cylinders 69. In this closed circuit arrangement there is a flow of hydraulic fluid accordingly as the associated track units pivot up or down relative to one another or as a unit in travelling over uneven ground. The deck 65 pivots as a unit with the cross shaft 22 as may be required in the relative pivoting action of the track units. low of hydraulic uid in the closed circuit may be stopped by closing a stop valve 83 shown in line 81.

lf it is desired to adjust the level of the deck to an angular position above or below its normal horizontal position, and to lock it in such position, the slide valve 76 is operated to feed pressure fluid as needed to either the upper or lower ends of the cylinders 69. The excess uid forced out of the cylinders by the adjusted position of the pistons in the cylinders is caused to flow over an oil return line 84 to the sump '18. After the desired adjusted angular position of the deck is obtained, closing the stop valve 83 will serve to hydraulically lock the deck in such position. Adjustment of the angular elevation of the deck may be made during the operation of the apparatus when it is desired to have the track units straddle a mound or rock and to maintain the deck elevated above the latter.

A feature of the association of the deck with the track units is that the deck is located (FIG. l) at the rear of the vehicle, and it occupies in a longitudinal direction a relatively small extent of the area between the track units. It occupies about one-third of this area, so that considerable vacant space lies between the track units forwardly of the deck. This feature is of decided advantage during drilling operations in that it enables the track units to be moved so as to receive deeply between them jutting rocks or other obstructions, and thus enables the drilling apparatus to be moved in close to its objective.

The deck 65 serves as the support or base for the turret assembly. The turret post component 13 of the latter is arranged perpendicular to the deck; it rises vertically upward from the central area of the latter. It includes (FIG. 2) an elongated cylindrical body or post portion 85 projecting above the deck, and a lower cylindrical body portion 86 projecting below the deck through a complementary opening in the latter. The upper body portion of the turret post has at its lower end a thick annular radial base flange 87 fixed fast to the surface of the deck.

The sump 18 is defined by the hollow interior of the turret post; it is open at the top end of the post; and it is closed over at its bottom end by a wall 88. A drain plug at S9 in the lower body portion of the post may be utilized when needed for draining the sump.

The turret component 12 (FIGS. 2 and 4) of the turret assembly has a cylindrical elongated hollow body which is open in its bottom end 92, and is sealed over at its top end by a cap plate 93 welded thereon. The cylindrical interior of the turret body complements the outer diameter of the turret post, so that the' turret slidably sleeves over the turret post and is adapted to swivel or rotate about the latter, bearing upon the sidewall of the turret post as it swivels. The interior of the turret is slightly greater in its vertical dimension than the upper body portion 85 of the turret post, whereby the upper body portion of the latter is fully received up into the turret. The turret has an annular radial terminal flange 94 at its bottom end which bears upon a bearing washer plate 95. The latter in turns bears upon an upper ilat annular shoulder surface provided by the upper face of the base flange 87 of the turret post. The capped end 93 of the turret also serves as a protective cover for the sump 18.

Suitable means (FIG. 2) is provided for supplying a suitable lubricant to opposed bearing surfaces of the turret and turret post, and to opposite faces of the bearing plate 95. A grease fitting 96 in the periphery of the turret is used to feed grease to a registering annular channel 97 in the turret post. A grease fitting 98 in the periphery of the base flange 87 of the turret post is used to feed lubricant to an annular channel, not shown, formed in the upper face of the base ange 87 adjacent one face of the bearing plate 95; and a grease fitting 99 in the terminal ilange 94 of the turret is used to feed lubricant to an annular channel, not shown, in the underface of the terminal flange 94 adjacent the opposite face of the bearing plate 95.

The turret 12 is designed to support the elongated drill boom 14. It has on its forward side wall area a forwardly extending bracket 101 upon which the boom is pivoted by means of a'yoke end 105 thereof for movement in a vertical arc or plane relative to the turret.

The hydraulic lift means 17 is used to pivotally elevate and lower the boom on its pivot relative to the turret. This lift means includes (FIGS. 1 and 2) a parallel pair of laterally spaced hydraulic cylinders 106, each of which has a tail eye-lug 107 pivoted upon a separate end portion of a horizontal pivot pin 108 supported in a bracket 109 welded atop the cap plate 93 of the turret. A piston rod 115 workable in and out of each cylinder 106 by means of the usual hydraulically powered piston head within the cylinder, has an eye-lug 111 at its free end pivoted upon a horizontal pin 112 supported above the boom in a bracket 113 atiixed to the forward upper area of the boom. A spacer 114 centrally of the pivot pin spaces the piston rods 115 in parallel relation to each other.

The swing means 16 (FIGS. l, 5 and 6) for swivelling or swinging the turret about the turret post includes an hydraulic swing cylinder 116 pivoted at its rear by means of a pair of diametrically opposed radial trunnions 117 and 118 thereof having a vertical axis of rotation in a bracket unit 119. The latter includes an upright 120 welded to the deck in the right end area of the latter. A bearing plate 121 bolted at one end atop the upright 120 extends rearwardly from the latter in parallel relation to the deck and has mounted therein a bushing in which the upper trunnion 117 pivots. The lower trunnion 11S pivots in a bushing 123 aflixed to the deck. A piston rod 124 workable in and out of the cylinder 116 by means of the usual hydraulically poweredpiston head within the cylinder, has at its free end an eye-lug 125 pivotally connected to the turret 12 by means of a manually removable inserted pivot pin 126i.

To enable this pivoted connection of the piston rod with the turret, the terminal ange 94 (FIGS. 2, 4 and 5) of the latter is of greater diameter than the underlying bearing plate 95 and base flange 87 of the turret post, so that it extends radially beyond the latter elements for a predetermined distance. In this radially extended portion of the turret flange 94 is a group of circumferentially spaced holes 127. These holes register with similar correspondingly located holes 128 formed in an upper or second radially extending flange 129 of the turret. This second flange is disposed in spaced parallel relation to the lower flange 94.

The pivot pin 126 is removably insertable, according to the selection of the operator, in any pair of registered holes 127, and 128; and the eye-lug 125 of the piston rod is freely receivable between the turret llanges 94 and 129,

enabling the eye-lug to freely pivot on the pin. A raised head 131 on the pin facilitates manual removal or insertion of the latter in the registered holes. The base flange 87 of the turret post serves to space the terminal ange 94 of the turret, and as a consequence, also spaces the short projecting bottom end of the inserted pivot pin clear of the deck, as appears in FIGS. 2 and 5.

The turret has a normal position as in FIGS. 1 and 6, wherein the boomextends forwardly and centrally of thel vehicle 10 in longitudinal relation to the track units. The swing cylinder 116 may be associated selectively by means of the removable pivot pin 126 with any of the pairs of holes 127 and 128, designated as to location in FIG. 6 as pairs A, B and C. When the association is with the holes at B, the turret and boom may be swung as a unit about the post through angle of substantially 45 degrees to either side of normal position. When the pair of holes at C is used, the turret may be swung clockwise from normal position for a distance of degrees to carry the boom to the right side of the vehicle at right angles to the latter; and when the holes at A are used, the turret may be swung counterclockwise from normal position for a distance of 90 degrees to carry the boom to the left side of the vehicle at right angles to the latter.

It is to be noted in FIG. 2 that the pivot connection of the boom 14 with the turret bracket 101 is at an elevation above the track units and above the deck cylinders 68. This enables swinging of the boom in a horizontal plane clear of the track units and clear of said cylinders. Further pairs of holes 128 and 127 not shown, may be located in the anges 94 and 129 at opportune points so that, if desired, the turret and boom may be swung through substantially 360 degrees by successive use of the direrent pairs of holes.

At times, due to reactions of the boom during drilling operations or during travelling of the vehicle, the turret 12 may tend to ride or lift upwardly on the turret post 13. To restrain the turret against this action, a pair of oppositely located hold-down brackets 132 is provided (FIGS. l, 2 and 5). Each bracket includes an upright member 133 Welded fast to the deck. The upright rises clear of the peripheries of the turret anges 94 and 129 to a point above the latter flange. An over-hanging plate 134 bolted at one end atop the upright extends in parallel relation to the deck and closely overhangs the upper flange 129. A slight clearance, as appears in FIG. 5 exists between the overhanging plate and the upper flange, whereby the turret may freely rotate relative tothe overhanging plate, but is prevented by the latter from riding upwardly upon the turret post.

To avoid use of a cumbersome hydraulic oil supply tank and to save for other uses the deck area that such a tank would otherwise occupy, the turret assembly (FIGS. 2 and 4) has been designed to also serve as an oil sump 18 for the various hydraulic devices associated with the apparatus. An inlet plug 135 in the turret cap plate 93 is removable for replenishing the oil supply in the sump. A pair of elongated tubes 136 and 137 mounted in the cap plate serve respectively as a return line to sump and as an outlet from sump. Each of these tubes has an elongated lower portion 138 depending deeply into the interior of the turret post to a point close to the bottom thereof; and each tube has a short upper external portion adapted for connection to related hose lines. Each tube is held in vertical position by a collar 139 thereof threadedly engaged in the cap plate 93.

To avoid lengthy hydraulic hose lines and the consequent entanglement thereof which would interfere with free and easy movement of the operator as Well as with the operation of the apparatus, the turret assembly 11 has la central location on the deck 65 relative to related hydraulically operated devices. Further, to aid in reducing the length of the hose lines to a minimum, the hydraulic pump unit 19, including the air motor which drives it, has been mounted to the underside of an overl'hanging rear portion of the turret cap plate (FIGS. l rand2'). connected to the inlet of the pump. A short hose line The outlet tube 137 has a short hose line 141 142 connects the discharge end-of the pump with a conventional valve flow control unit, generally designated 14?3 also mounted to the capplate 93. Short hose lines 14u connect the contr-ol unit 143 with appropriate ends `of the lift cylinders 166. Hydraulic ow to both lift @cylinders is controlled by a conventional manipulative yleveroperated Lslide valve at 144 in the control unit. A

return hose line 145 connects the return end of the control unit with the-return tube 136 to sump. It is obvious that Vthe severalforegoing hose lines may be of minimum length :inasmuchras all of them are adapted to be carried about boom, the turret cylinder having a cap closing over its top end, the interior upper end of the turret cylinder being clear of the corresponding end of the turret post, a

vradial terminal flange deningthe base end of the turret cylinder, a bearing washer interposed between the said radial flange and the deck, means for supplying lubricant to opposite faces of the washer, means for supplying lubricant between the peripheral surface of the turret post and the interior diameter Wall of the turret cylinder, and the sump being adapted for conduit connection thereof with hydraulic means powering the boom, wherein the turret cylinder has a radially extending upper flange about the lower end of its periphery spaced above the terminal liange, and stationary hold-down means is carried by the deck having a detachable abutment plate closely overlying the upper tiange whereby the turret cylinder is limited against moving upwardly upon the turret post, and where- -by the turret cylinder may be removed from the turret The hydraulic iiow control valve unit 7l) (FIG. 5) i which serves the deck cylinders 68 may be mounted upon the deck at the rear thereof, as in FIG. 1. Its supply line 77 has a branch connection, not shown, with the pump discharge line 142, and its return hose line 84 has a branch connection, not shown, with'the sump return line 145.

The hydraulic flow control valve unit 7d further includes a second manipulative conventional slide control valve 1.46 for controlling operating hydraulic fluid flow to opposite ends of the piston head in the swing cylinder 116 and for locking the piston head of the latter in any selected moved position.

A still furtheradvantage of Vthe apparatus is that the overall height of the vehicle lil together with the turret assembly 11 thereon is relatively low, so that the ilow control units '7d and 143 may be manually operated by an operator standing upon the ground at the rear of the vehicle.

While an embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be expressly understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Various changes may be made in the design and arrangement of theparts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention; and it is my intent therefore, to claim the invention not only as shown and described, but also in all such forms and modifications thereof as may be reasonably construed to fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A rock drill mount having a deck, a vehicle supporting the deck, a vertically extending cylindrical turret post xed upon the deck having a hollow interior closed at its bottom and open at its top delining a sump for a hydraulic oil supply, a turret cylinder sleeving over the post having rotative movement about the latter and adapted to pivotally carry a hydraulically powered drill boom, the turret cylinder having a cap closing over its top end, the interior upper end of the turret cylinder being clear of the corresponding end of the turret post, a radial terminal flange defining the base end of the turret cylinder, a bearing washer interposed between the said radial iiange and the deck, means for supplying lubricant to opposite faces of the washer, means for supplying lubricant between the peripheral surface of the turret post and the interior diameter wall of the turret cylinder, and the sump having inlet and outlet conduits adapted for connection of the sump with hydraulic means powering the boom, the inlet and outlet conduits being mounted in the cap of the turret cylinder and rotatable as a unit with the turret cylinder relative to and free of the post.

2. A rock drill mount having a deck, a vehicle supporting the deck, a vertically extending cylindrical turret post ixed upon the deck having a hollow interior closed at its bottom and open at its top delining a sump for a hydraulic oil supply, a turret cylinder sleeving over the post having rotative movement about the latter and ,adapted to pivotally carry a hydraulically powered drill post upon detaching the abutment-plate.

means is mounted upon the turret cylinder having rotation with the turret cylinder as a unit relative to the turret post and operatively connecting the hydraulically pow- Aupper lianges have a plurality of pairs of registered circumferentially spaced holes therein, and the piston means includes a piston rod workable in the hydraulic cylinder and having an eye-lug, at its free end slidably movable between the said flanges to register the eye of the lug With any selected'pair of holes, and a pivot pin removably insertable in any selected pair of holes having registration with the eye of the eye-lug with any selected pair of the holes.

5. A rock drill mount having a deck, a vehicle supporting the deck, a vertically extending cylindrical turret post iixed upon the deck having a hollow interior closed at its bottom and open at its top defining a sump for a hydraulic oil supply, a turret cylinder sleeving over the post having rotative movement about the latter and adapted to pivotally carry a hydraulically powered drill boom, the turret cylinder having a cap closing over its top end, the interior upper end of the turret cylinder being clear of the corresponding end of the turret post, a radial terminal ilange defining the base end of the turret cylinder, a bearing Washer interposed between the said radial flange and the deck, means for supplying lubricant to opposite 'faces of the washer, means for supplying lubricant between the peripheral surface of the turret post and the interior diameter wall of the turret cylinder, and the sump being adapted for conduit connection thereof with hydraulic means powering the boom; wherein the vehicle has a rotatable cross shaft, the deck has a rear portion disposed above the cross shaft, bracket elements iix the rear portion of the deck to the cross shaft, the deck has a forward portion, the vehicle is provided with framing proximate to opposite ends of the forward portion, and hydraulic piston means supports the said vopposite ends of the deck to the said framing, whereby the deck is cushioned against shock occurring during operation of the drill mount.

6. A drill mount comprising a deck, a vehicle supporting the deck, ka vertically extending cylindrical turret post fixed upon the deck having a hollow interior closed at its bottom and open at its top defining a sump for a hydraulic oil supply, a turret cylinder sleeving over the turret post and having rotation about the latter, a drill boom pivotally supported to the turret cylinder for angular movement relative to the turret cylinder and for rotation with the latter as a unit, hydraulic piston means mounted upon the turret cylinder and having connection with the boom for pivoting the latter on its pivot, hydraulic iiow control means mounted upon the turret cylinder operatively connecting the hydraulic piston with the sump, hydraulically powered piston swing means mounted upon the deck and pivotally connected with the turret cylinder for rotating the latter about the turret post selectively to opposite sides of the vehicle to carry the drill boom to a position at right angles to the selected side, a radially extending flange about the periphery of the turret cylinder spaced above the bottom end of the latter, and stationary hold-down means carried by the deck having a detachable abutment plate closely overlying the ange whereby the turret cylinder is limited against moving upwardly upon the turret post, and whereby the turret cylinder may be removed from the turret post upon detaching the abutment plate, wherein a cap seals over the top end of the turret cylinder and serves as a cover to the open top end of the sump, and inlet and outlet piping to the sump is xed in the cap having end portions depending freely into the interior of the post and having external portions including hose line connections with the hydraulic iow control means, the said piping, hose line connections and iiow control means being rotatable as a unit with the turret cylinder relative to the post.

7. A drill mount comprising a deck, a vehicle supporting the deck, a vertically extending cylindrical turret post xed upon the deck having a hollow interior closed at its bottom and open at its top dening a sump for a hydraulic oil supply, a turret cylinder sleeving over the post and having rotation about the latter, a drill boom pivotally supported to the turret cylinder for angular movement relative to the turret cylinder and for rotation with the latter as a unit, hydraulic piston means mounted upon the turret cylinder having connection with the boom for pivoting the latter on its pivot, hydraulic iiow control means mounted upon the turret cylinder for rotation with the latter as a unit and operatively connecting the hydraulic piston means with the sump, and a hydraulically powered swing piston unit swivelly mounted at one end upon the deck and having selective pivot connections at its other end directly with the turret cylinder for rotating the latter about the turret post, and stationary hold-down means for limiting the turret cylinder against lifting upwardly upon the turret post, wherein the boom has a normal position extending longitudinally relative to the vehicle; and the turret cylinder has an annular radially extending flange, a plurality of holes spaced circumferentially about the ange, and a pivot pin for connecting the swing piston unit at said other end pivotally with a selected one of the holes, whereby the degree of rotation of the turret cylinder is selectively controlled.

8. A rock drill mount comprising a supporting vehicle, a deck on the vehicle, a turret post on the deck defining an oil sump, Va turret sleeving the post and having rotation thereabout, stationary means limiting the turret from lifting upwardly upon the turret post, a drill boom pivotally supported to the turret, hydraulic means mounted to the turret for actuating the boom, means for hydraulically rotating the turret relative to the post comprising a pair of ilanges extending radially around 'lil the periphery of the turret in parallel spaced relation to each other, a plurality of pairs of registered circumferentially spaced holes in the langes, a hydraulic cylinder swiveled at one end to the deck for movement in a horizontal plane, a piston rod workable in the cylinder having an eye-lug at its free end slidable between the ianges to register the eye thereof with any selected pair of registered holes in the flanges, and a pivot pin insertable in the selected pair of holes and the eye of eye-lug.

9. In a machine including a deck, a drill boom, and hydraulic devices for operating the boom; a combined turret assembly and hydraulic sump for swivelly supporting the boom and supplying the hydraulic devices with operating huid, comprising a hollow turret post open at its top end and fixed at its base end in the deck, a turret cylinder sleeving over the post and having rotation about the latter, a cap closing over the top end of the turret cylinder, the upper interior end of the turret cylinder being clear of the corresponding end of the turret post, and a bearing disposed between the deck and the bottom end of the turret cylinder whereby the weight borne by the turret cylinder is exerted over the bearing member and the peripheral wall area of the turret post, means for supplying lubricant to the bearing member and to the peripheral wall area of the turret post, the turret cylinder serving to contain a supply of hydraulic uid, the turret cylinder being adapted to support a drill boom and hydraulic devices for operating the drill boom, control means on the turret cylinder for communicating the hydraulic fluid from the latter to the hydraulic devices, inlet and outlet piping for the sump xed in the cap and depending freely into the interior of the turret post, and external ittings on the piping connecting the piping with the control means, the piping, control means and turret cylinder having rotation as a unit relative to the turret post. i

10. A rock drill mount having a deck, a vehicle supporting the deck, and a rock drill boom supported upon the deck, wherein the vehicle has a rotatable cross shaft, the deck has a rear portion disposed above the cross shaft, bracket elements x the rear portion of the deck to the cross shaft, the deck has a forward portion, the vehicle is provided with framing proximate to opposite ends of the forward portion, and hydraulic piston means supports the said opposite ends of the deck to the said framing, whereby the deck is cushioned against shock occurring during operation of the drill mount.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Frisk Oct, 18, 1960 

1. A ROCK DRILL MOUNT HAVING A DECK, A VEHICLE SUPPORTING THE DECK, A VERTICALLY EXTENDING CYLINDRICAL TURRET POST FIXED UPON THE DECK HAVING A HOLLOW INTERIOR CLOSED AT ITS BOTTOM AND OPEN AT ITS TOP DEFINING A SUMP FOR A HYDRAULIC OIL SUPPLY, A TURRET CYLINDER SLEEVING OVER THE POST HAVING ROTATIVE MOVEMENT ABOUT THE LATTER AND ADAPTED TO PIVOTALLY CARRY A HYDRAULICALLY POWERED DRILL BOOM, THE TURRET CYLINDER HAVING A CAP CLOSING OVER ITS TOP END, THE INTERIOR UPPER END OF THE TURRET CYLINDER BEING CLEAR OF THE CORRESPONDING END OF THE TURRET POST, A RADIAL TERMINAL FLANGE DEFINING THE BASE END OF THE TURRET CYLINDER, A BEARING WASHER INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE SAID RADIAL FLANGE AND THE DECK, MEANS FOR SUPPLYING LUBRICANT TO OPPOSITE FACES OF THE WASHER, MEANS FOR SUPPLYING LUBRICANT BETWEEN THE PERIPHERAL SURFACE OF THE TURRET POST AND THE INTERIOR DIAMETER WALL OF THE TURRET CYLINDER, AND THE SUMP HAVING INLET AND OUTLET CONDUITS ADAPTED FOR CONNECTION OF THE SUMP WITH HYDRAULIC MEANS POWERING THE BOOM, THE INLET AND OUTLET CONDUITS BEING MOUNTED IN THE CAP OF THE TURRET CYLINDER AND ROTATABLE AS A UNIT WITH THE TURRET CYLINDER RELATIVE TO AND FREE OF THE POST. 